New Delhi: With the
JD(U) allying with the BJP, the NDA's numbers with the support
of friendly regional parties are now very close to a majority in
the Rajya Sabha, giving a boost to the government's legislative
agenda.

A counting of the strength of different parties besides
independent and nominated members suggest that the Modi
dispensation can expect the support of at least 121 members in
the 245-member House.

Shrewd political management by its floor managers can help it
successfully stave off the challenge posed by the Congress-led
opposition, which has often been successful in blocking its
bills in the Upper House.

The Nitish Kumar-led party has 10 members in the Upper House, a
significant addition to the treasury benches which have so far
remained in a minority.

The JD(U)'s support boosts the NDA's number to 89 in the
245-member House.

Some members of the party have spoken against Kumar's decision
to join hands with the BJP but it is not clear if they will defy
its stand in Parliament.

With the BJP set for a win in the by-poll in Madhya Pradesh,
where a vacancy was caused by Anil Madhav Dave's death, and
pulling out all stops to snatch one seat from the Congress in
Gujarat, its tally could go to 91 during the ongoing
Parliament's session.

Regional parties like the AIADMK, the BJD, the TRS, the YSRCP
and the INLD, which together have 26 members, have often backed
the government, which can also count on at least four of the
eight nominated members for support.

It all adds up to 121, very close to the majority mark of 123.
It may get a big boost during the monsoon session if the BJP
wins eight of the nine seats in Uttar Pradesh. It has now only
one member among them.

However, the NDA will face some reverses in Bihar which will see
elections for six seats in March-April next year. The JD(U) and
the BJP have currently four and two seats respectively. The RJD-Congress
combine can win up to three seats.